LAUREL, Batangas – Precious Zaragosa and Mona Sarines shot identical two-over-par 74 to take a five-stroke lead in the girls’ 11-14 category of the Junior Philippine Golf Tour at the Splendido Taal Golf Club here Tuesday.
Zaragosa’s performance included a hole-in-one on No. 3 while Sarines finished strong with two birdies in the last three holes as the pair posted a commanding lead over Lisa Sarines at the start of the of the 14-leg circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
“I was really surprised,” said Zaragosa, who used a Mizuno pitching wedge and Titleist No. 2 ball to ace the 100-yard hole. “But I became nervous after that and made a double bogey and bogey in the next two holes.”
Looking ahead, she added: “I hope to putt better tomorrow.”
The tournament drew 60 players in three age categories and Zaragosa said she intends to compete in all 14 legs of the JPGT that will culminate in the Match Play Championship in October.
For her part, Mona Sarines acknowledged the need to improve her approach shots.
“There’s still 36 holes left so I’ll just do my best and improve on those aspects,” she said.
Levonne Talion and Aerin Chua carded 83 and 87, respectively, while Althea Bañez and Kendra Garingalao struggled with 91 and 93, respectively.
Manhit takes lead
In the boys’ 11-14 division, Race Manhit, 11, demonstrated his potential with an 81, despite not recording any birdie. The effort secured him a two-shot lead over Juan Antonio Cruz and Aenzo Sulaik, who both finished with 83. Javie Bautista and Iñigo Gallardo stayed within striking distance with 85 and 86, respectively.
“The greens are fast and I couldn’t get my putting right,” said Manhit.
The JPGT, sponsored by ICTSI, aims to nurture young talent and promote camaraderie among participants. It includes the 8-10 age division (36 holes) and the 15-18 category (72 holes), for both boys and girls.
With so many concurrent junior events, the JGPT has been designed to avoid scheduling conflicts with other junior golf organizations with whom it plans to foster a good working relationship.
In the girls’ 15-18 class, Lia Duque took charge with a 76, ending with a birdie on No. 9 as she grabbed a four-stroke lead over Ji Won Lee, who shot 80. Rafa Ancianoa posted an 85 while Anna Kei Fernandez had 88.
In the boys’ 15-18, Charles Serdenia set the pace with a 75, marked by two birdies and five bogeys. He held a three-stroke advantage over Zachary Villaroman, who fell back after four bogeys in the last seven holes, and shot a 78.
“I need to improve on my short game, especially irons,” said Serdenia.
Rafael Manaol recovered from a rough start, birdying Nos. 8 and 9 but a challenging back nine left him with an 81, tied with Gabriel Handog.
Alexander Crisostomo and Patrick Tambalque shot 83 and 84, respectively, while Rafael Leonio and Bien Fajardo matched 85s.
In the youngest category, Maurysse Abalos took command with an 89 for a four-stroke lead over Teresa Tambunting, who finished with a 93, while Casedy Cuenca carded a 98.
Ryuji Suzuki birdied No. 7 and recorded a 78, opening a six-shot lead over Jose Luis Espinosa, who made an 84, while Kevin Tecson and Michael Ray Hortel II scored 100 and 122, respectively.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
